Center for Cluster Development and CoordinationCollaboration with other organizations

CCD dispatches its personnel to the Kobe Medical Device Development Center (MEDDEC), which has an IM room permanently staffed by incubation managers (IMs), and to the Kobe Healthcare Industry Development Center (HI-DEC). The CCD personnel provide necessary support and assistance to corporate and organizational users at these facilities.

Collaboration with the Kobe Medical Device Development Center (MEDDEC)

The country’s only public facility for training in surgery and medical device development.Management：Organization for Small & Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation

The Kobe Medical Device Development Center (MEDDEC), established in 2006 in Kobe and managed by the Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan, is the country’s only public facility for training in surgery and medical device development.MEDDEC, the core facility of KBIC, is the only public facility of its kind that can host training programs for physicians in surgical operation using live pigs and the development and evaluation of medical devices.

MEDDEC has three operating theaters where it is possible to organize training sessions using the most advanced equipment for endoscopic surgery, fluoroscopy, MRI, catheterization, and so forth (up to seven operating tables can be used simultaneously). The facility is also equipped with a whole range of peripheral apparatuses usually required in surgical procedures, steel utensils, consumables, and other materials, except for certain highly specialized ones. The breeding ward within the facility enables long-term observation of subjects. MEDDEC also produces experimental animal models for human disease at the request of users. The most distinctive feature of this facility is that physicians and corporate research scientists can freely carry out surgical training and experiments using live pigs whenever necessary for a desired duration. MEDDEC has received over 400 companies and organizations as users.The second and third floors of the facility house wet laboratories for tenants.

* Many other companies, universities, and academic societies have also used MEDDEC.

Collaboration with the Kobe Healthcare Industry Development Center (HI-DEC)

The Kobe Healthcare Industry Development Center (HI-DEC) is the business incubator for KBIC, and is permanently staffed by Incubator Managers (IMs). HI-DEC offers a menu of support services to entrepreneurs preparing to start their business, venture companies, and small and medium-sized companies.HI-DEC is managed by the Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan.

HI-DEC was established in 2006 in Kobe. It is a business incubator facility fully comprising wet laboratories.

MEDDEC and HI-DEC are jointly operated by the Organization for Small and Medium Enterprises and Regional Innovation, Japan, Kobe City, and FBRI. Tenants of these facilities are entitled to a range of support services that are optimal at each stage of business development for business plan formulation, financing, sales channel exploration, and so on, on the strength of broad networks developed by permanently stationed Incubator Managers.

Planning: review of business plans following business expansion (review of business domain and personnel composition)

Planning: Review of business plans following business expansion (review of business domain and personnel composition)

Financing: Loans proposed by the Japan Finance Corporation

Development: Information on support measures by the national government (new collaborative projects), acquisition of subsidies, and product development proposals

Sales channel: Alliance with major corporations and commercialization, making use of IM networks

The HI-DEC café is a monthly event that HI-DEC organizes to promote interaction among companies and assist their search for potential business partners.
The date and time of the HI-DEC café are published on the HI-DEC website.
Each month, the event enjoys active participation by the facility’s corporate tenants and many people from companies representing various domains. Participants are advised to bring their business cards with them and drop by casually.